eugenesis-text

‘It’s always the ones you least expect, isn’t it I’m a first generation Micro, Flame-born and bred –
hey! Where’s Blastmaster’
‘Inside.’ Blastmaster’s head and shoulders emerged from the cliff face as if he was rising from the sea.
‘One good holo-wall is better than a thousand feet of steel. Where d’you think Delphi got the idea from’
They went inside. Autobase was stripped bare. Maximus had peeled away not just the computer
hardware, but the worktops, seats and doorframes. Everything had been recycled for use aboard the
Steelhaven, preventing any shred of technology from falling into enemy hands. All that remained were
support arches and corridor struts. Glimmers of moulded steel mingled with untreated metal, as if Mount
Novum was slowly and patiently reclaiming lost ground.
The Micromasters crossed a glassy surface daubed with streaks of red, unaware that they were walking
over an enormous Autobot symbol, and found a metal grille bolted to the wall some distance above their
heads.
Blastmaster craned his neck. ‘I wonder how many times I passed this thing by without paying it any
attention. Funny how time lends a different perspective.’
After half an hour of crawling on all fours through nondescript metal ducts Sunrunner said,
‘Congratulations, team. We’ve crossed over into Mount Edeus.’
‘Incredible,’ said Treadbolt, right behind him. ‘This duct looks just as shiny and cramped as those
inside Mount Novum.’
Sunrunner tapped the naviguide. ‘This thing doesn’t lie. We’re officially inside enemy territory.’
‘Technically, Sunrunner, the whole of Cybertron is now enemy territory.’
‘We mustn’t think like that,’ said Phaser. ‘I suggest we increase stealth fields and communicate via
inter-Autobot radio. Agreed’
‘Agreed.’
After another few minutes of crouch and crawl, Blastmaster found a second grille. Signalling for
extreme caution, he folded himself tight against the slats and gave enough space for Sunrunner to do the
same.
‘What can you see’ asked Phaser.
‘Prison cells. I think we’re on the ground floor.’
‘Is there anyone inside the cells’
‘Yeah. Decepticons.’
‘You okay, Blastmaster’
‘By the Matrix - what have they done’
‘Don’t move,’ warned Haxian, standing back to admire his handiwork. The vials of aqua fortis had
been securely attached to Q-12’s bulging control belt. When the tele-trooper shuffled, so did the folds of
interconnected armour. The floor shuddered and Haxian tapped the telearmour with his drill. ‘I said keep
still! I haven’t finished yet.’
‘With respect sir, I didn’t do anything.’
Haxian straightened his back and looked Q-12 in the eye. ‘Don’t talk back. You flex a joint under
there and the suit responds. It’s a very sensitive piece of equipment.’
‘But sir…’
‘I’ve set the co-ordinates for Cyber— for New Quintyxia. Ryknia, Sevax and Jolup will meet you on
arrival.’ He paused, admiring the telearmour’s dark sheen. ‘Look, remove this suit as soon as you arrive.
Rest and recharge. Don’t let them put you to work straight away. Speak to Ryknia, he’s the most
reasonable.’
There was a noise: a tumble of heavy footsteps outside the lab. Haxian frowned and reached for his
weapon.
Galvatron dived into the lab and rolled across the floor. Haxian ducked behind a workbench as
gunfire flew over his head.
‘Drop your weapon and stand up,’ ordered Galvatron. ‘You have three seconds before I—’
Haxian’s pistol skidded feebly across the floor. He stood up, hands above his head, face half-turned, as
if he expected to be shot immediately. He saw that Q-12’s head had snapped back like a severed spring. A
bullet wound sizzled on his helmet.